Edit: I've altered my original post in order to spare a bit of boredom for the reader. If anyone hankers to sit through the original post, it's been quoted below. Here goes:

As a long time beer drinker, I've had various rules for choosing a beer over the years. Today, there are so many great beers that there is no way to be anything other than sort of precious when declaring one beer better than the next. I live in Oregon, so have access to all the Washington and California beers as well. My cup runneth over. I've had to update my rules for choosing/praising beers. The rules aren't hard and fast, but guide my decisions. Here are my latest rules:

1. I believe a person should be able to drink at least a six-pack of any great beer before he/she has had too much. Now, lightweights might be excluded here, but if the alcohol content is so high that I'm tapping out after 3 beers, then I'm not a big fan no matter how good the beer tastes.
2. With so many great beers available, if the cost of a 22oz bottle is too far north of $4 then you're just wasting money. The six pack price point is somewhere around $8. A cost per ounce rule applies.
3. Arguing over IPAs is not unlike arguing over politics and religion.
4. The Europeans may have mastered beer, but we recreated it. Buy American.
5. Bottled/canned beer has to establish the bench mark by which all beers are compared because only a limited few drinkers can get to said ale house, during said limited release, during said season, when said brewmaster got everything right. If you had some great beer, at some pub that only made one barrel, please don't disparage the $4 bottle of beer you're drinking out of my fridge.

This post is long-winded because tonight I've had the following three 22oz beers for the first time, imbibed in this order:

As a long time beer drinker, I've had various rules for choosing a beer. Here are some of the rules I've had over the years:

-When poor, I had to be able to buy at least 8 beers for the equivalent of an hour's pay in order to put a beer on my list. I used to believe that a man should be able to get buzzed/drunk in exchange for an hour of hard labor. Still do actually.

-When on a health kick, I bought beer based on the sugar to alcohol to calorie content. Most alcohol to calorie usually won out. Taste almost be damned. Yeah, Amstel light used to taste good.

-In grad school, and while mostly broke, I calculated the price of beer by ounce, and alcohol by ounce, and bought in the most valued quantities. Now taste played some kind of factor, as I would never drink ice beers or any other malt beverage.

Now, I've had a long history with micro brewing. I grew up in the Northwest. And I'm old enough to remember/experience the genesis of the craft beer movement. Today, there are so many great beers, there is no way to be anything other than precious when declaring one beer better than the next. I live in Oregon, so have access to all the Washington and California beers as well. My cup runneth over. I've had to update my rules for choosing/praising beers. Here are my latest rules:

1. I believe a person should be able to drink at least a six-pack of any great beer before he/she has had too much. Now, lightweights might be excluded here, but if the alcohol content is so high that I'm tapping out after 3 beers, then I'm not a big fan no matter how good the beer tastes.
2. With so many great beers available, if the cost of a 22oz bottle is too far north of $4 then you're just wasting money. The six pack price point is somewhere between $8 and $9. Essentially my old cost per ounce rule is still applies.
3. Arguing over IPAs is not unlike arguing over politics and religion.
4. The Europeans may have mastered beer, but we recreated it. Buy American.
5. Bottled/canned beer has to establish the bench mark by which all are compared because only a limited few can get to said ale house, during said limited release, during said season, when said brewmaster got everything right. If you had some great beer, at some pub that only made one barrel, then don't disparage the $4 bottle of beer you're drinking out of my fridge.

This post is long-winded because tonight I've had the following three 22oz beers for the first time, imbibed in this order:

OP, we have verrrrry different viewpoints on this. Though we may still enjoy the same beer, many of the beers I enjoy would break all of your rules. I buy what i want to try, and don't limit myself to rules that prevent me from trying something new.

09-14-2012

JFryauff

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestatevirgin

This post is long-winded because tonight I've had the following three 22oz beers for the first time, imbibed in this order...

You don't say ;)

My rules are simple.

1. Don't spill any.
2. See rule #1

I also condone drinking an entire 750ml of Black Tuesday, by yourself, in a dark room as a feasible option.

09-14-2012

Guerdonian

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFryauff

You don't say ;)

My rules are simple.

1. Don't spill any.
2. See rule #1

I also condone drinking an entire 750ml of Black Tuesday, by yourself, in a dark room as a feasible option.

GOOD RULES! I adopt them and will follow them as my own :)

09-14-2012

A1an

Rule 1: Don't buy **** beer
Rule 2: Don't drink **** beer

Wife's rule to me: Never buy Dogfish Fort and consume the entire bottle solo in an evening. Long story short...drank an entire bottle myself and apparently babbled on and on about nothing (which annoyed the **** out of my wife). I don't recall a good 2-3 hours of that evening. Fort rocked my world.

09-14-2012

monzie

Really, my rules are simple and is but one: 1. Does the beverage contain alcohol? If yes, then drink it.

09-14-2012

Slow Danger

Quote:

Originally Posted by S1000RR

you approach this quite serious don't you?

Well I should have followed the obvious beer rule: don't post on the internet while drinking. But I'm also long winded by nature.

09-14-2012

Slow Danger

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFryauff

You don't say ;)

My rules are simple.

1. Don't spill any.
2. See rule #1

I also condone drinking an entire 750ml of Black Tuesday, by yourself, in a dark room as a feasible option.

Oh I've had stages in my life where these were my rules. I'm older now. I've matured:thumbsup: Sort of. My unwritten rule is I have the right to change rules based on the context of my surroundings at the time I crack my first beer.

09-14-2012

velorouge

Travelling to Santa Cruz, CA this weekend. Any good local beers there?

09-14-2012

jeffscott

Some of my alcoholic relatives taught me some beer rules....

If your going to be an alcoholic.....

Only drink beer with tomato juice until 1:00pm.....

That will keep you alive.

09-14-2012

Carl Hungus

Quote:

Originally Posted by velorouge

Travelling to Santa Cruz, CA this weekend. Any good local beers there?

Yes but why did you choose this thread for that question? Start a new thread.

09-14-2012

debaucherous

Yes, beer rules.
I have many beers and love them all - because, BEER RULES!

09-14-2012

Klurejr

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestatevirgin

1. I believe a person should be able to drink at least a six-pack of any great beer before he/she has had too much. Now, lightweights might be excluded here, but if the alcohol content is so high that I'm tapping out after 3 beers, then I'm not a big fan no matter how good the beer tastes.

Sorry, you are wrong here. Good beer is about good taste and many times that involves a higher percentage of alcohol. I am not saying it always has to be high alcohol content, but a great Barely wine or Stout (and many other varieties) can be well north of 10%. If you feel the need to drink a whole six pack at once you are bordering on alcoholism. Good beer is about quality NOT quantity.

Quote:

2. With so many great beers available, if the cost of a 22oz bottle is too far north of $4 then you're just wasting money. The six pack price point is somewhere around $8. A cost per ounce rule applies.

Again Quality over quantity, yes many bombers are under $4, but there are many over that price that are worth every single penny.

Quote:

3. Arguing over IPAs is not unlike arguing over politics and religion.

I can agree with you here, most IPA's are overrated hop bombs and lack the complexity of other styles.

Quote:

4. The Europeans may have mastered beer, but we recreated it. Buy American.

You have obviously never had Cantillion Gueuze or an Epic Belgium Quad. Try and broaden your horizons, there is more out there than IPA.

Quote:

5. Bottled/canned beer has to establish the bench mark by which all beers are compared because only a limited few drinkers can get to said ale house, during said limited release, during said season, when said brewmaster got everything right. If you had some great beer, at some pub that only made one barrel, please don't disparage the $4 bottle of beer you're drinking out of my fridge.

I can agree with this.

09-14-2012

jtmartino

OP, limiting yourself to American session beers is pretty cute. Do you drink them with a sippy cup or a bendy straw? :D

I have a bunch of beer rules. It just depends on which drinking game I'm playing.

09-14-2012

Klurejr

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtmartino

OP, limiting yourself to American session beers is pretty cute. Do you drink them with a sippy cup or a bendy straw? :D

LOL! Exactly. :thumbsup:

09-14-2012

thricenotrice

I personally would go for the much higher alcohol content if I am drinking with a purpose.

Saves money, even though they are more expensive. Just a little input

09-14-2012

Spec7

I'll preface this with what I'm currently drinking disqualifies rule numero dos in my book. It happens to be a 25.4oz bottle of Brewery Ommegang "The art of darkness" (8.4%). $15.95 in Nashville, TN and not available in Chattanooga, TN. However........Yazoo Brewing's "Sue"(9.4%) could be a fantastic example of your 2nd rule coming in just under $5.00 for a 25.4oz and bursting with goodness.

The only rules in my house are between my wife and I:
1- Beer I buy for myself, is mine only. The wife must supply her own as I will not freely share.
2- Beer she buys for herself receives a 1 month restraining order. After that, well; she was warned....
3- If you are not the purchaser of said beer, you are entitled to a sip of the forbidden nectar to determine future purchases.
4.-If at any time rule 1 is ignored, rule 2 is also ignored and all beer is transferred to a super secret location with a super secret hidden mini fridge.

She's drinking Newcastle "Werewolf" tonight. She's on her third one. She bought the six pack 13.75 days ago.

Not that I'm counting.

09-14-2012

One Pivot

Quote:

Originally Posted by velorouge

Travelling to Santa Cruz, CA this weekend. Any good local beers there?

Hit 99 bottles downtown.

09-14-2012

melonas22

yes

09-14-2012

melonas22

They are as follows, no binge drinking, no beer after 7pm and keystone is frowned upon harshly

09-14-2012

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by melonas22

no beer after 7pm

Is that some kind of Gremlins reference?

09-14-2012

Spec7

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtmartino

Is that some kind of Gremlins reference?

No light or water, especially the water.

09-14-2012

IPA Rider

Beer rule:

In through the mouth

09-14-2012

kjlued

WTF?!?!?

Beer rules?

Only rule is to drink good beer.
If it isn't good, then there is no point in drinking it.

If you want a cheep buzz, then get liquor.

09-14-2012

velorouge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Hungus

Yes but why did you choose this thread for that question? Start a new thread.

Sorry about that. I just joined and don't yet have the 5 posts required to start a new thread. My bad.

09-14-2012

velorouge

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Pivot

Hit 99 bottles downtown.

Excellent. Thanks for the suggestion. I will check that out.

09-14-2012

Slow Danger

On why I'm so ridiculous...

As the OP, I think now is a good time to come back in and clarify a few things--misconceptions that are all my fault for choosing my words lazily. My “rules” represent a method for confronting a world where I have 300 choices when I enter the store. These “rules” are dictated by a philosophy—which, by the very nature of any philosophy, requires many words to adequately explain. So I beg your patience.

To accept, or at least entertain, my “rules”, one must understand how I define “beer drinking”. True beer drinking is a communal activity and requires some sort of “event”. This may be a stop at the corner bar to visit with the neighbors, maybe watching live music, a barbeque, a party, sporting event, or at the very least a movie or sporting event on television. Activities such as these require time. Large chunks of it. Real beer drinking is more marathon than sprint. If I had to put a clock on it, I’d say true beer drinking requires three hours on average. Some good company is mandatory as well. Over the course of these three hours, the drinker must inebriate themselves somewhere North of a mild buzz, but also somewhere South of drunkenness. Why drink unless it’s to allow the alcohol to take affect?

Now, pairing beer with food, having a beer while completing a task at home, or having one beer before bedtime is, according to my philosophy, not beer drinking. Oh, these are perfectly fine and wonderful endeavors, but I categorize these activities differently. And often alter my purchases accordingly. Also, I consider beer to be a working-class beverage. It has to be affordable.

So let’s apply this to the rules I laid out in the previous post:

1. The six pack rule. In three hours time, this means I’m having two beers per hour. Hardly alcoholic territory. If I’m drinking a beer too high in alcohol content, I’m done after hour one, or hour two at the latest. That’s no fun. For me, my body size and metabolism, an ABV of between 6-7% works best to achieve the desired buzz. I didn’t mean to imply that stronger beers aren’t delicious. However, the closer the ABV gets to 10% or above, the less I consider it beer. It starts trending towards wine, and in some cases, hard alcohol. For example, Barleywine is not beer. Technically yes, but not by my philosophy. Too many beerficianados equate ABV to excellence.
2. The cost rule. It's not that I don't occasionally splurge on expensive beer. However, more than half the time I do, I end up thinking of a half dozen other less expensive beers that I would have enjoyed either nearly as much, as much, or more. Stouts are my favorite style of beer. I can get any number of great ones under my cost rules. Take IPA's. I can get both Ninkasi's Total Domination or a 10 Barrel IPA for under $4 per bomber. Now I'm not going to sit an argue with others that these are the world's greatest IPA's, but man are they good and make me plenty happy. Which leads to the next rule...
3. Don't argue IPA's. There's so many great ones, so different in their complexities, that it's often the palate of the drinker that matters more than the beer. The beerficianados focus too much on high ABV and IBU.
4. Buy American rule. I've had plenty of European beers. Many great ones, though I admit to lacking as much knowledge as I should concerning European offerings. American crafters are doing great things in all styles of beers, not just sessions. Generally they are cheaper and fresher than the Euro beers in the store where I do most my shopping. Obviously, I would gladly drink almost any beer, but experimentation lies outside of my core philosophy on "beer drinking".

On the way out the door, I would like to say I hope everyone who reads this knows I understand how completely and utterly ridiculous this all is. But hey, I've read/taken part in stupider, more foolish, and nearly as long-winded, argue-fests over pedals in these forums. Beer is the perfect place for this kind of foolishness.

09-14-2012

melonas22

its a southern thing...

09-14-2012

thricenotrice

Quote:

Originally Posted by melonas22

They are as follows, no binge drinking, no beer after 7pm and keystone is frowned upon harshly

what the fudge

09-14-2012

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestatevirgin

Also, I consider beer to be a working-class beverage.

You lost me at this ^. :rolleyes:

09-15-2012

Slow Danger

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtmartino

You lost me at this ^. :rolleyes:

Hey, at least you got this far. Did I lose you because you don't like to associate yourself with the working class, or because you believe this hasn't traditionally been the case?

09-15-2012

Slow Danger

Quote:

Originally Posted by melonas22

its a southern thing...

Well, I have visited the south a number of times, but I usually end up talking about food with Southerners, not beer.

09-15-2012

Brewtality

My rules -
No Macro-brews. Life is too short to waste time with crappy beer.
Be open minded. Try different beers when ever possible.
I have never had enough to drink.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-16-2012

Slow Danger

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtmartino

OP, limiting yourself to American session beers is pretty cute. Do you drink them with a sippy cup or a bendy straw? :D

I have a bunch of beer rules. It just depends on which drinking game I'm playing.

Ah, thanks to you I realize my philosophy is a "sessions" style philosophy, and like everything else I learn on the internet about any philosophy I think I've come to through experience, I've learned the monks invented this philosophy a thousand years ago. Anyways, my sessions require a beer between 6-7% abv.

09-16-2012

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestatevirgin

Hey, at least you got this far. Did I lose you because you don't like to associate yourself with the working class, or because you believe this hasn't traditionally been the case?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestatevirgin

Ah, thanks to you I realize my philosophy is a "sessions" style philosophy, and like everything else I learn on the internet about any philosophy I think I've come to through experience, I've learned the monks invented this philosophy a thousand years ago. Anyways, my sessions require a beer between 6-7% abv.

The fact that you consider beer to be a "working-class" beverage means you need to learn more about beer. Beer is often harder to make and more expensive per oz. than wine. Does that mean wine is working class too?

And I doubt you can kill a sixer of 7% beer without violating your first rule. Unless you can make your way through 8 shots without feeling like you've had too much. In which case I stand corrected.

FYI most monk-brewed trappist beers aren't session beers (defined as having 5% ABV or less.) Their beer was initially brewed for sustenance, and then for money.

09-16-2012

Slow Danger

So this thread has proven fruitful to me in the end. I realize now, as a long-time beer drinker--one who has tested so many thousands of beers--that I've never really studied the language of beer because, instead, I drink and study mountain bike forums. Thanks to this thread/forum I see that my philosophy falls under a specific category and that's "sessions" style beer. Though I knew my philosophy was nothing new or special, I only now have learned that my version of "sessions" is quite a bit stronger than what has been traditionally considered a sessions beer. So if a sessions beer is traditionally 4-5% ABV, I'm between 6-7%. Really, the only perspective my views can bring is that a great beer should cost a person around $4 per bomber and $8 per six-pack. And that the minimum wage should be at least $8 per hour so a person can go buy a sixer of fine beer for an hour's work (actually more if I'm making a political argument).

Let my thread stand as evidence for why a person should learn more about beer terminology:

The fact that you consider beer to be a "working-class" beverage means you need to learn more about beer. Beer is often harder to make and more expensive per oz. than wine. Does that mean wine is working class too?

And I doubt you can kill a sixer of 7% beer without violating your first rule. Unless you can make your way through 8 shots without feeling like you've had too much. In which case I stand corrected.

FYI most monk-brewed trappist beers aren't session beers (defined as having 5% ABV or less.) Their beer was initially brewed for sustenance, and then for money.

1. I don't want to argue what is or isn't working class, but my simple definition is that at some point a beer gets so expensive that a working class person begins dipping into college funds, house payments, vehicle repair funds, or retirement in order to purchase. For me that point is $4 bomber or $8 six pack in the grocery store.

2. I don't know all the brewer's terminology, but I've been beer drinking long enough and often enough to have had as many varieties as the next drinker.

3. I can drink 8 shots over the course of 3 to 4 hours, as is the definition of sessions drinking. No problem. But I did say between 6-7% abv. As I stated, my version of a "session" requires more than a mild buzz and less than drunkeness. Give me 4 hours to drink 8 shots, again, no problem. I don't think that's unusual.

4. I was being sarcastic about the monks. I should have used an emoticon. But if the monks were brewing for sustenance, they were brewing for the working class.

09-16-2012

Coondog#77

1. The only thing you use a Guiness glasses for is... GUINESS! Do not put water, milk, soda, in my Guiness glasses.

2. If drinking from a bottle and you finish your bottle. It is not to be set on an elevated surface, must be placed on the floor or in a recycling bin.

3. If you get up to get another beer for yourself, you must bring a round for all others in need of a fresh beer.

I'll preface this with what I'm currently drinking disqualifies rule numero dos in my book. It happens to be a 25.4oz bottle of Brewery Ommegang "The art of darkness" (8.4%). $15.95 in Nashville, TN and not available in Chattanooga, TN. However........Yazoo Brewing's "Sue"(9.4%) could be a fantastic example of your 2nd rule coming in just under $5.00 for a 25.4oz and bursting with goodness.

The only rules in my house are between my wife and I:
1- Beer I buy for myself, is mine only. The wife must supply her own as I will not freely share.
2- Beer she buys for herself receives a 1 month restraining order. After that, well; she was warned....
3- If you are not the purchaser of said beer, you are entitled to a sip of the forbidden nectar to determine future purchases.
4.-If at any time rule 1 is ignored, rule 2 is also ignored and all beer is transferred to a super secret location with a super secret hidden mini fridge.

She's drinking Newcastle "Werewolf" tonight. She's on her third one. She bought the six pack 13.75 days ago.

Not that I'm counting.

These are excellent rules, except for number 2. I would give it two full weekends or two weeks at most.

09-16-2012

Slow Danger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coondog#77

1. The only thing you use a Guiness glasses for is... GUINESS! Do not put water, milk, soda, in my Guiness glasses.

2. If drinking from a bottle and you finish your bottle. It is not to be set on an elevated surface, must be placed on the floor or in a recycling bin.

3. If you get up to get another beer for yourself, you must bring a round for all others in need of a fresh beer.

If you want to get a job done in your garage, you should take at least one beer.

09-16-2012

cmg71

beer rules???

as long as I can still get them from the fridge, I can keep drinking

09-16-2012

ColoradoTravel

These are awesome beer rules

09-16-2012

jimbowho

Rule number one. Don't listen to beer snobs.

Threw a large party many years ago. Bought three 50 gal drums, the kind made out of paper. They colapse in a couple days and you can throw them out. No I was not into the keg hastle and foam and pumping etc.

Drum #1 had Bohemia-bohemian? I forget but pricy and yummy.
Drum#2 Henry weinharts private reserve.
Drum#3 Freakin HAMMS in a can MMMMMYUMMY.

Right around midnight there was no beer left but the Hamms drum full to the top. By barely still dark we
were out of Hamms. It was fun, and funny, and a big part of the laughs.

Accept for the two day hangover.

I refuse to discriminate, only beer I don't prefer is the molassis kind.

09-16-2012

highdelll

"Beer rules." - yes, yes it does
" Do you have any? " yes, yes I do

09-16-2012

norton55

I have 2 rules. First, never send a keg back with beer in it and second, Denogginizer is for after the ride not during.

Beer makes me happy!!
Don't sip.

09-21-2012

evilcat

Beer must be served at 2*C

09-22-2012

One Pivot

^ lagers i agree.. I kinda like warmer IPA's.

09-23-2012

textbookonewk

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Pivot

I kinda like warmer IPA's.

+1

My rules...

1. Beers may be consumed at any hour of the day. No need to wait until a certain time. I had a Stone 16th Anniversary at 8am last Wednesday. I hadn't even finished my morning coffee.

2. When working in the garage I must have a beer within arms reach.

3. When grilling I must have a beer in hand.

4. I can drink your shitty beer, if I so choose, without asking. I will only share my good beer with you if you can appreciate it.

09-23-2012

neveride

I keep my rules simple:

1) If you bring crap beer to my house, you get to drink the crap beer. Any crap beer that you didn't drink, bring home, I don't want it in my fridge

2) If I bring beer to your house and all you have is crap beer, don't drink all of my good beer. Leave me enough to enjoy. I will leave any extras for you to enjoy

09-23-2012

SCR818

To the OP, luckily, it's a free country and you can have any set of rules you like.

For me it's simple:

Beer rules and I've got some in the 'fridge ready to be soaked on at any moment. :)

09-24-2012

leeboh

$ 4.00 for a bomber, I wish. Here in MA, looking at 6-10$ , I usually go with 12 packs at about 12-14 $ per. Also good 4 packs, usually $ 10-12 per. 6 beers in a sitting? Not since college, 1-3 and then switch to whisky, oh wait, never mind.
The downside to being a hophead, I have converted my wife to one. She won't touch the stouts or porters though.

10-05-2012

FNCnca

Ok my "Beer Rules"
These are my rules, you may not agree.

1. Never drink from metal, it must be glass.
If I get it in a can or a keg, I have to pour it into a glass. Alway keep a drinking glass in the vehicle.
2. If it is hoppy, I must pass.
Hops are a perservative, not a flavor.
3. Never drink beer made with fruit.
When I eat fruit, I want the real thing, NOT IN MY BEER!
4. Homebrew what I like, and make it the best.
5. Just because it is free, does not make it good.
If you offer me a beer that I don't like, do not be offended, when I refuse. I know what I like in beer and I do not compromise. Likewise if you do not like what I have, do not expect anything else, I will not be offended.
6. See rule 1 and 2.

10-05-2012

Harry Mackenzie

Beer can only be consumed when:
1. I had a fun bike ride.
2. I had a bad or painful ride.
3. I had a good day.
4. I had a bad day.
5. Anytime between 2pm - 2am but not 2am - 2pm.
6. Obvious rule that shouldn't be stated but with a designated driver when not in the comfort of my own home.
7. It's something I like.
8. Friends with similar taste in beer suggests something or even pays for it, at this point consumption becomes mandatory as long as it doesn't conflict with other rules.

10-05-2012

bloodninja

East Coast IPAs are not gonna be that good.

Try something new BEFORE ordering an IPA.

10-05-2012

Coondog#77

Quote:

Originally Posted by textbookonewk

4. I can drink your shitty beer, if I so choose, without asking. I will only share my good beer with you if you can appreciate it.

I second this motion!:thumbsup:

10-05-2012

Slow Danger

Great posts tonight! Must be Friday. A number of posters have commented on fruit in beer. I would add "no fruit" to my list, but I do make exceptions for citrus. No berries, no pears, no apricots, etc.

10-10-2012

leeboh

Do you think left coast ipa's are better? Bring it on! I'll start with Heady Topper. Vermont pub and brewery.

10-10-2012

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloodninja

East Coast IPAs are not gonna be that good.

Try something new BEFORE ordering an IPA.

See below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeboh

Do you think left coast ipa's are better? Bring it on! I'll start with Heady Topper. Vermont pub and brewery.

Truth. Or anything from Hill Farmstead, or Double Sunshine from Lawson's. Vermont has been cranking out some damn good beer lately.

10-29-2012

GelatiCruiser

My only rule:

You are not allowed to ***** about the type of free beer in your buddy's fridge...feel free to gripe about the temperature though.

11-05-2012

Klurejr

Why do people feel the need to come into the beer forum to boost their post count with random nonsense..... spanking, really?

11-05-2012

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klurejr

Why do people feel the need to come into the beer forum to boost their post count with random nonsense..... spanking, really?

He has a link in his sig for a reason - just another spammer.

11-05-2012

Turbopit

My only rule at home is don't drink any of the good beers unless I know that you do, in fact, like good beer.

It's usually female friends who only drinks bud light or vodka that will grab a $10+ bottle of beer out of the fridge, take one drink and then put it back when they realize they hate it.

I don't really enjoy fruity beers but I don't mind citrus.

If I'm having a few beers with friends, I'll drink "good" beer. If I'm going to be drinking beer after beer all night, then it's cheep beer that isn't heavy. (PBR, High Life, etc) I don't really like the popular bud light/coors light, etc

I didn't really like beer at all until moving to Colorado around 2004.

11-06-2012

Boognish

Oddly enough, I only have one serious rule that I plan to follow until the end of my days: I never get on two wheels after drinking beer. I've ridden bicycles exactly three times after beer. The first was in 1992 - had one beer at the top of Santa Theresa. I hit a rut and wound up with a broken helmet and badly bruised ribs. Second was in 1994 - one beer at the top of Kennedy. Made it down the trail, and while heading down Kennedy Road just as fast as my bike could go I hit a shady corner that was wet and low sided on my right side. I wore through my glove to my palm, and have a nasty scar on my knee to this day. Third time was in 2005 and was a result of nothing more than ZERO judgement.It involved a LOT of beer a beach cruiser and stitches in the emergency room.

So yeah, it's mainly superstitious, but I ain't going to drink and ride!

1. I believe a person should be able to drink at least a six-pack of any great beer before he/she has had too much. Now, lightweights might be excluded here, but if the alcohol content is so high that I'm tapping out after 3 beers, then I'm not a big fan no matter how good the beer tastes.
2. With so many great beers available, if the cost of a 22oz bottle is too far north of $4 then you're just wasting money. The six pack price point is somewhere around $8. A cost per ounce rule applies.
3. Arguing over IPAs is not unlike arguing over politics and religion.
4. The Europeans may have mastered beer, but we recreated it. Buy American.
5. Bottled/canned beer has to establish the bench mark by which all beers are compared because only a limited few drinkers can get to said ale house, during said limited release, during said season, when said brewmaster got everything right. If you had some great beer, at some pub that only made one barrel, please don't disparage the $4 bottle of beer you're drinking out of my fridge. .

I like the rule list.

Mine is very simple. Beer must be COLD and reasonably inline with my pallet at that moment. I'll drink about any beer, but surely everyone has had that moment where a beer just wasnt exactly what you were shooting for at that moment.

My social rule of course is "no beers left behind". Waste not want not.

Not a rule, but a preference: frosty glass. It's just nice. Surely there are some brews that are not served in a chilled glass, that is fine, but for the others, it's a nice touch.

Friends: Who likes drinking alone?

Cheers !

11-08-2012

Thom H

Beer Rules

Beer Rules, is a statement not a question.

Mine are very few but important.

1.Only drink the ones that come out of a can, bottle or off the tap.

2. Be sure to tip the bartender very well. He /she is your friend and probably needs the money more than you do. If you can't afford to tip well, drink at the house it is way cheaper.

3.For damn sure don't drive drunk. That is why you ride the bike to the pub. Still against the law, but much harder to get caught and you won't hurt anyone but yourself.

4. Bike repairs are much easier with a pint in hand, and complex things seem much clearer on the pint.

5. Mind the pint laddie, too much too often is not so good for you.

11-08-2012

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom H

1.Only drink the ones that come out of a can, bottle or off the tap.
.

Do they come any other way? :confused:

11-08-2012

Klurejr

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtmartino

Do they come any other way? :confused:

Sometimes they come out of a Growler........ :thumbsup:

11-08-2012

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klurejr

Sometimes they come out of a Growler........ :thumbsup:

Which comes off the tap!

12-08-2012

reinhota

Drink what you like. If others are too closed to the flavor profiles out of the usual mass produced light lagers it is your obligation to kindly and respectfully try to open their lives to glory beyond the "light"

12-08-2012

Korvus

The only rules I follow is I don't drink crap beer and I won't spend more than 9 bucks on a 6 pack. Too many excellent beers at 9 or less to bother spending that much.

Oh, and I try not to buy the same beer twice in a row. I like to mix it up a bit!

12-31-2012

tom-dave

only one rule, don't ride your good bike to the pub

01-01-2013

2melow

My rule is never buy a beer that has too many pictures of hops, has the word "hop" or "hoppy" or "hop bomb" anywhere written on the bottle because I know all it is a super unbalanced hop forward/aft style of the category.

I love a good IPA and DIPA but prefer some balance to the brew. Anyone can make a super hoppy beer by throwing more hops and hop extract into it. My neighbor even makes a batches in his garage that is equal to if not better than many American IPA's they sell here in the store. It takes skill to make a well balanced version of the style with some good malty character balance.

And another rule - $12 is my bomber/750 price limit. Once Chimay Blue, La Chouffe and St. Bernardus go over I'll have to readjust. :D

01-02-2013

Klurejr

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2melow

And another rule - $12 is my bomber/750 price limit. Once Chimay Blue, La Chouffe and St. Bernardus go over I'll have to readjust. :D

I don't have any price rules, though I probably should......

What about barrel aged beers? IMO they are worth the extra money because it took extra time and storage for them to be ready. The most expensive Barrel Aged beer I bought this year was 50/50 Eclipse and Bourbon Barrel Aged Speedway Stout from Alesmith, both were about $28.00.

01-02-2013

irishpitbull

If you can read the menu through the beer it's not dark enough.

01-02-2013

arkon11

Where are you guys finding your beer for 8-9 bucks a six pack. A cheap sixer of rolling cock is at least 7.59 around here. You'll be lucky to find anything near microbrew status for under 10 bucks. Heck even blue moon, a non-microbrew is 9+

01-02-2013

Slow Danger

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkon11

Where are you guys finding your beer for 8-9 bucks a six pack. A cheap sixer of rolling cock is at least 7.59 around here. You'll be lucky to find anything near microbrew status for under 10 bucks. Heck even blue moon, a non-microbrew is 9+

Depends upon where you live, I'd imagine. I can get any number of quality six-packs for under $9, but I live in rural Oregon. This includes most Oregon beers sold and marketed in six packs--and many from Washington and California too. Heck, I just bought a sixer of Terminal Gravity's Breakfast Porter for $8.19 in the local version of Whole Foods in Portland, Oregon, so it's not just a rural thing, or a budget store thing either.

You must live on the East Coast, right?

01-02-2013

X-FXR

No major rules…to me beer is like a trail take it and see where you end up.

No fruit beer….just can’t call it beer.

01-02-2013

Klurejr

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-FXR

No fruit beer….just can’t call it beer.

How do you define fruit beer?

Have you ever had a high quality sour that is made with fruit? They can be amazing.

01-02-2013

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestatevirgin

Depends upon where you live, I'd imagine. I can get any number of quality six-packs for under $9, but I live in rural Oregon. This includes most Oregon beers sold and marketed in six packs--and many from Washington and California too. Heck, I just bought a sixer of Terminal Gravity's Breakfast Porter for $8.19 in the local version of Whole Foods in Portland, Oregon, so it's not just a rural thing, or a budget store thing either.

You must live on the East Coast, right?

Often times it has a lot to do with alcohol taxes specific to certain states.

Have you ever had a high quality sour that is made with fruit? They can be amazing.

Yes I have tried sours, the last was the dissident from Deschutes, while I can appreciate that it’s a craft brew I can’t call it beer in the true sense. But who cares who defines what as anything….if you like it. Those that like it go for it, no hatn’ cause that style appeals to you. It’s not for me, but I’m not a snob that will cast ya out of the pub just a bit of ribbing…. :p

Beers that I consumed New Year’s Eve

The Abyss 2010, Black Butte MMX, Celebrator Dopplebock, Pauliner Salvator, Mammoth Hair of the Bear, Lost Coast Downtown Brown to name a few…..no sours, minimal hops, no fruit and no wheat.

01-02-2013

jtmartino

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-FXR

while I can appreciate that it’s a craft brew I can’t call it beer in the true sense.

Why not? Fruit is an adjunct like any other found in beer. Your Abyss and Black Butte XX series had adjuncts in them too.

Nice selections BTW. Ever try any dunkelweizens? If you like doppelbocks, you may appreciate a good dunkel too.

01-02-2013

X-FXR

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtmartino

Why not? Fruit is an adjunct like any other found in beer. Your Abyss and Black Butte XX series had adjuncts in them too.

Nice selections BTW. Ever try any dunkelweizens? If you like doppelbocks, you may appreciate a good dunkel too.

Ya I know that beers I like are altered from the basics of water, barley and yeast.... but the taste isn't for me and not what I personally want in a beer. If I want something fruity overtones it better have an umbrella in it :D

I have tried dunkelweizens while not bad just aren't my favorite. The wheat just doesn't appeal to me. Drink a dunkel on occasion as well.

01-02-2013

monzie

Bluestate, that map is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

01-02-2013

2melow

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klurejr

I don't have any price rules, though I probably should......

What about barrel aged beers? IMO they are worth the extra money because it took extra time and storage for them to be ready. The most expensive Barrel Aged beer I bought this year was 50/50 Eclipse and Bourbon Barrel Aged Speedway Stout from Alesmith, both were about $28.00.

The last 20 dollar bottle I bought was a barrell aged Yeti that was infected. That was last year. Come to think of it ive bought a few bottles of Crooked Stave which were over the $12 mark. See how tough it is??!!

01-02-2013

2melow

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestatevirgin

Yup. Here's kind of a cool map of rates by state, for those who like to geek out:

OP, we have verrrrry different viewpoints on this. Though we may still enjoy the same beer, many of the beers I enjoy would break all of your rules. I buy what i want to try, and don't limit myself to rules that prevent me from trying something new.

Ditto. I have almost exactly the opposite opinion on everything the OP has stated.

- The best beers are usually high ABV, it's part of what gives them their strength and complexity. 7.5 - 11% is my common range.

- Feeling that drinking 3 beers or less is a 'waste' is stupid when the idea is to enjoy the beer. Drinking more than 3 beers is nothing more than getting drunk, and has nothing to do with actually appreciating the beer. I like a good buzz too, but a truly great beer experience usually involves nursing a single strong beer over a fair bit of time.

I hope all the Americans here appreciate how cheap their beer is. In BC, a decent 6-pack of standard fare micro brew is $11-13. Everything in America is cheap as hell, though.

01-05-2013

Slow Danger

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostBoyScout

Ditto. I have almost exactly the opposite opinion on everything the OP has stated.

- The best beers are usually high ABV, it's part of what gives them their strength and complexity. 7.5 - 11% is my common range.

- Feeling that drinking 3 beers or less is a 'waste' is stupid when the idea is to enjoy the beer. Drinking more than 3 beers is nothing more than getting drunk, and has nothing to do with actually appreciating the beer. I like a good buzz too, but a truly great beer experience usually involves nursing a single strong beer over a fair bit of time.

I hope all the Americans here appreciate how cheap their beer is. In BC, a decent 6-pack of standard fare micro brew is $11-13. Everything in America is cheap as hell, though.

You pay $11-13 for Molson's?

01-30-2013

peterbotwin

my main rule: stop drinking beer when I'm starting to sleep)

02-16-2013

LabGuy64

Always use a clean, room temperature, beer glass. The beer should not be too cold and preferably a craft or home brewed beer.

02-17-2013

LabGuy64

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtmartino

OP, limiting yourself to American session beers is pretty cute. Do you drink them with a sippy cup or a bendy straw? :D